Elevation mechanism

ABSTRACT

An elevation mechanism for varying the angle of a main housing relative to a base pivoted to the housing is disclosed. At the front of the base is provided a series of vertically disposed openings or indentations into one of which a detent finger supported by the front of the housing is adapted to be inserted. The finger preferably comprises a part of an operational member having spring members and a operating surface whereby pressure applied to the operating surface will compress the spring members and retract the finger to permit rotation of the housing relative to the base. When pressure is withdrawn from the operating surface the spring members urge the finger into an opening in the base to establish the desired angle of the base relative to the housing.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,784,135 Owen, Jr. Jan. 8, 1974 ELEVATIONMECHANISM Primary ExaminerJ. Franklin Foss [75] Inventor. William S.Owen, Jr., Webster, NY. Attorney w H J. Kline et a1 [73] Assignee:Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. [22] Filed: 1972 An elevationmechanism for varying the angle of a [211 App]. 232,382 main housingrelative to a base pivoted to the housing is disclosed. At the front ofthe base is provided a series of vertically disposed openings orindentations [52] US. Cl 248/11, 108/6, 353/119 into one f Which adeteht finger Supported by the [51] Int. Cl. F16m 13/00 from f thehousing is adapted to be inserted The fi [58] Field of Search 248/11,23, 423, ger f bl comprises a part f an Operational 248/397; 353/119;108/146 7, 8, 9 member having spring members and a operating surfacewhereby pressure applied to the operating surface References Cited willcompress the spring members and retract the tin- UNITED STATES PATENTSger to permit rotation of the housing relative to the 2,850,081 9/1958Dillon 248/397 basewhen Pressure is Withdrawn from the Operating3,148,583 9/1964 Maiershofe 353/119 Surface the spring members urge thefinger into an 2,939,659 6/1960 Koskela 248/11 opening in the base toestablish the desired angle of 2,243,2l2 5/l94l Kendelmann et a] 248/11the base relative to the housing, 2,944,776 7/l960 Pester 248/111,401,027 12/1921 Ader 108/64 UX 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 ELEVATIONMECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to an elevation mechanism for adjusting the elevationof a housing member relative to a base member and more particularlyrelates to such an elevation mechanism for use in apparatus such asmotion picture or image projectors, microfilm readers or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Elevation mechanisms for substantiallyportable apparatus such as motion picture or slide projectors, microfilmreaders and the like have generally had a number of disadvantages. Inone type of known elevation mechanism utilizing a rack and pinionsystem,although a fairly wide range of elevation angle was provided, therack and pinion system comprised a large number of parts and thereforecontributed to undesirable complexity and expense of the elevationmechanism. In addition, this type of elevation mechanism occupied asubstantial amount of space in the apparatus which could be efficientlyused for other purposes or eliminated to make the apparatus morecompact. In another type of known elevation mechanism utilizing a screwand knob assembly the elevation mechanism comprises a minimum number ofparts but is disadvantageous in that only a limited elevation angle isprovided. In another known mechanism a U shaped bar is pivoted to thebase of the apparatus and although of simple and inexpensiveconstruction such mechanism permits the adjustment of the apparatus toonly a single angle of elevation. Although these mechanisms were suitedfor the specific apparatus for which they were designed there is clearlya need for a simple and inexpensive elevation mechanism which provides asubstantial choice in the angle of elevation to which the apparatus maybe set. Such an elevation mechanism should also comprise a minimumnumber of parts and occupy a minimum amount of space in the apparatus.It is also desirable that such a mechanism provide a positive control ofthe elevation angle at which the apparatus is set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an elevation mechanism for apparatus whichcomprises relatively few parts but which permits adjustment of theapparatus through a substantial angle of elevation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elevationmechanism for substantially portable apparatus such as film projectorsand microfilm readers which is economical in manufacture, occupies aminimum amount of space in the apparatus and provides positive controlof the angle of elevation to which the apparatus may be set.

According to the present invention there is provided an elevationmechanism for apparatus such as motion picture film an slide projectors,microfilm readers and the like comprising an operating member having adetent finger mounted on a rotatable main housing of the apparatus incooperation with surface indentations on a base member to which thehousing is pivoted. According to the one aspect of the invention theoperating member includes an angled detent finger flanked by springmembers unitarily projecting downwardly from a manually operable memberprotruding through a slot lit in the housing. The base of the apparatusis provided with a series vertically disposed openings or indenta tionsinto one of which the detent finger is adapted to project. According toanother aspect of the invention a protruberance on the housing is spaceda slight distance from the manually operable member and upon movement ofthe manually operable member toward the protruberance the detent fingeris moved out of engagement with the indentation in the base to permitadjustment of the housing to another angle.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparentin the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilledin the art from the following detailed description read in conjunctionwith the attached drawings wherein like reference numeral indicate likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional elevational view of the elevationmechanism of the present invention as used in a microfilm reader;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional elevational view showing the operationof the mechanism of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the Figuresthere is shown a preferred embodiment of the elevation mechanism of thepresent invention as used in apparatus such a microfilm reader. As shownin FIG. 1 microfilm reader 10 comprises upper housing 12 mounted onlower housing 14 which in turn is pivotally mounted on base 16 as atbearing 18. The basic components of the projection system of the reader10 are shown schematically and include light source 20, condenser lens22, projection lens 24, mirror 26, front projection screen 28 and aviewing opening at the front of housing 12 including ambient lightfilter 30. A strip or sheet of microfilm containing a plurality ofmicroimages is positioned relative to the optic axis formed by condenserlens 22 and projection lens 24 by means of a carriage 32 suitablymounted for movement relative to projection axis 34 in slot 36 of lowerhousing 14 of reader 10.

Elevation mechanism 38 includes detent means 40 on lower housing 14 andcooperating detent means 42 on base 16. As shown, detent means 42includes a series of detent openings 43 in front wall 44 of base 16which is also provided with side walls 46 and 48 intersecting with frontwall 44. Detent openings 43 in wall 44 are vertically aligned and havehorizontal lands 50 projecting rearwardly from openings 43.

Detent means 40 provided on housing 14 includes an operational member 52supported on front wall 54 of lower housing 14. Member 52 includeshorizontally disposed manually operable portion 56, angled detent finger58 and spring members 60 and 62 flanking detent finger 58. Members 60and 62 and finger 58 are preferably unitary with portion 56 and dependdownwardly therefrom. Member 52 is also provided with a retainingelement 64 also preferably unitary with portion 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 portion 56 of member 52 projects through aslot 66 in wall 54. Spring members 60 and 62 substantially bear againstinner surface 68 of wall 54 and the free end of retaining element 64substantially bears against the outer surface 70 of wall 54, members 60and 62 and element 64 thus securely holding member 52 on wall 54. Wall54 is also provided with protruberance 72 extending substantiallyhorizontally from surface 70 of wall 54. Protruberance 72 is spaced asmall distance from portion 56 so that manual pressure may be appliedbetween protruberance 72 and portion 56 to rotate detent member 58 outof engagement with detent openings 43 in wall 44 of base 16.

In operation, since member 52 is of springy material such as springmetal, plastic or the like, spring members 60 and 62 will bias detentfinger 58 into engagement with a detent opening 43. The angle ofelevation at which housing 12 is to be set for the convenience of anoperator of reader will determine the particular detent opening 43 withwhich detent finger 58 is engaged. As shown in FIG. 1, finger 58 isinserted into the lower most opening 43a and housing 12 is disposed atits lowest position. If the operator desires to change the angle ofelevation of housing 12 he would apply manual pressure to portion 56 ofmember 52 in the direction of protruberance 72. This may be accomplishedfor example by grasping protruberance 72 and portion 56 between twofingers and squeezing. By pressing portion 56 towards protruberance 72spring members 60 and 62 will tend to flatten against surface 68 of wall54 and the lower end 74 of finger 58 will pivot out of engagement withopening 43a. The operator while maintaining squeezing pressure onportion 56 then lifts housing 12 to the desired angle for viewing andrelease pressures on portion 56 to permit members 60 and 62 to resumetheir normal configuration and to permit portion 74 of finger 58 toengage a new opening 43 above opening 43a. in such manner, the angle ofviewing provided by housing 12 may be adjusted as desired simply,quickly and efficiently.

Due to the construction of member 52, if the operator shouldaccidentally loosen the pressure on portion 56 thereof detent finger 58will pivot into engagement with the nearest opening 43 thus preventingsudden jarring to the projection components of the reader 10.

Although elevation mechanism 38 has been shown and described asincluding an operating member 52 having a single detent finger 58adapted to engage a single opening 43, it will be understood that member52 may include a two or more detent fingers adapted to engage a likenumber of openings 43 for each angle of elevation. it will also beunderstood that the number of elevation angle setting openings and thevertical spacing between said openings may be varied and that suchopenings may be indentation molded or otherwise formed in plastic or thelike; Other forms of detent means are also considered to be within thescope of the present invention.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof,

but it will be understood that variations and modifications can beeffected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. ln a microfilm viewer including a base having a first wall and ahousing pivotally connected to said base, said housing having a secondwall spaced from said first wall, an elevation mechanism for adjustingthe angle of elevation of said housing relative to said base and forthereby adjusting the angle of viewing of said viewer, comprising:

a means on said first wall for defining a plurality of detent bearingsurfaces disposed vertically at different elevations;

b an operating member carried by said second wall of said housing, saidoperating member including: 1 a substantially horizontal member having amanually manipulable portion extending through said second wall;

2 a downwardly extending angled detent member having a detent portionadapted to engage one of said detent bearing surfaces; and

3 downwardly extending spring member means having a portion adapted toengage said second wall, said spring member means urging said detentmember into engagement with one of said detent bearing surfaces; and

c means on said second wall cooperating with said manually manipulableportion of said operating member for effecting manual manipulation ofsaid operating member to selectively move said detent member into andout of engagement with a selected one of said detent bearing surfaces tothereby selectively adjust the angle of elevation of said housingrelative to said base.

2. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said defining a pluralityof bearing surfaces comprises means defining a plurality of verticallydisposed openings in said first wall means.

3. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said defining a pluralityof bearing surfaces comprises means defining a plurality of verticallydisposed indentations in said first wall means.

4. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for effectingincludes a protmberance on said second wall, spaced from saidmanipulable portion of said operating member.

5. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said spring member meansincludes first and second downwardly depending sinuously shaped springelements respectively flanking said detent member.

6. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said operating memberincludes a retaining element depending from said horizontal memberthereof and adapted to retain said operating member on said secondwall.

1. In a microfilm viewer including a base having a first wall and ahousing pivotally connected to said base, said housing having a secondwall spaced from said first wall, an elevation mechanism for adjustingthe angle of elevation of said housing relative to said base and forthereby adjusting the angle of viewing of said viewer, comprising: ameans on said first wall for defining a plurality of detent bearingsurfaces disposed vertically at different elevations; b an operatingmember carried by said second wall of said housing, said operatingmember including: 1 a substantially horizontal member having a manuallymanipulable portion extending through said second wall; 2 a downwardlyextending angled detent member having a detent portion adapted to engageone of said detent bearing surfaces; and 3 downwardly extending springmember means having a portion adapted to engage said second wall, saidspring member means urging said detent member into engagement with oneoF said detent bearing surfaces; and c means on said second wallcooperating with said manually manipulable portion of said operatingmember for effecting manual manipulation of said operating member toselectively move said detent member into and out of engagement with aselected one of said detent bearing surfaces to thereby selectivelyadjust the angle of elevation of said housing relative to said base. 2.The elevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said defining a plurality ofbearing surfaces comprises means defining a plurality of verticallydisposed openings in said first wall means.
 3. The elevation mechanismof claim 1 wherein said defining a plurality of bearing surfacescomprises means defining a plurality of vertically disposed indentationsin said first wall means.
 4. The elevation mechanism of claim 1 whereinsaid means for effecting includes a protruberance on said second wall,spaced from said manipulable portion of said operating member.
 5. Theelevation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said spring member means includesfirst and second downwardly depending sinuously shaped spring elementsrespectively flanking said detent member.
 6. The elevation mechanism ofclaim 1 wherein said operating member includes a retaining elementdepending from said horizontal member thereof and adapted to retain saidoperating member on said second wall.